Newtown Square, PA – AHEPA Thermopylae Chapter 445 hosted its Christmas Party/Scholarship Awards banquet at Trattoria Giuseppe on Sunday. Seven recipients from around the Delaware Valley were awarded $7,520 dollars in grants towards their educational studies. The Daughters of Penelope sister chapter, (Pandora Chapter #332/Upper Darby, PA) also awarded a scholarship which was presented by Mary Parras, a long time member.
AHEPA chapter 445 President Greg Vlassopoulos played MC and addressed the AHEPA members and guests. The afternoon started with a moment of silence recognizing the departed senior AHEPA brothers lost this past year. Several dignitaries and AHEPA past presidents from the Greek-American community were also acknowledged. Doctor Basil Karayiannis who last held the position as chapter president was honored and presented a plaque by his father in law. “When I woke up this morning, I felt something good was going to happen to me today, and this is it, presenting my son-in-law with this honorary award for his work as former president for two years”, said Jerry Kahrilas a 60 year member of the chapter.
Many of the scholarships were given out in remembrance of members of the community and/or ties to this chapter. The list included, Gregory Vlassopoulos, Dr. Patterson, Theophilos Constantinidis, Dean Polites, Danny Kathopoulis, Dean Morkides, all historic members of the Greek-American community. Many of their family members made the presentations in honor of those that have since passed. Those funds are matched each year by the AHEPA Thermopylae Chapter 445 and Daughters of Penelope Pandora Chapter #332.
President Greg Vlassopoulos was joined at the podium by his family and echoed the growing tradition, by awarding a scholarship in memory of his father, Greg Vlassopoulos Sr. Greg Sr. was a long time member of the community who also ran a Greek radio program, was a Boy Scout leader, and also played a vital role in this organization that started the AHEPA Greek-American Track meet, back in the early 70’s. President Vlassopoulos closed the event by reminding the attendees by saying, “AHEPA Thermopylae Chapter 445 Track meet is a cornerstone of our organization and is the oldest Greek-American Track meet in the United States. Please join us, come out and be part of the AHEPA on May 30th”.